1. Sun (3×3)

4	9	2
3	5	7
8	1	6

Method: Use the Siamese method for odd orders:

• Start in the middle of the top row (2,1).
• Move diagonally up and right; if you go off the grid, you wrap around. If a cell is already filled, move down instead.
• Fill in numbers from 1 to 9.

2. Moon (9×9)

4	14	15	1	2	12	23	24	34
32	3	13	8	9	19	22	31	35
17	27	2	7	11	21	26	30	40
37	36	33	16	10	20	25	29	41
18	28	42	5	6	38	43	39	44
45	55	54	51	46	53	48	47	50
56	61	59	57	52	60	49	58	64
62	63	71	66	65	70	68	69	67
81	76	74	72	73	75	77	78	79

Method: Use a modified version of the Siamese method with additional rules for wrapping and filling in specific patterns.

3. Mercury (8×8)

8	58	59	5	4	62	63	1
49	15	14	52	53	11	10	56
41	23	22	44	45	19	18	48
32	34	35	29	28	38	39	25
40	26	27	37	36	30	31	33
17	47	46	20	21	43	42	24
9	55	54	12	13	51	50	16
64	2	3	61	60	6	7	57

Method: Use the LUX method for even number squares:

• Fill the square with numbers 1 to 64 sequentially.
• Swap numbers based on a particular pattern to achieve the magic property.

4. Venus (7×7)

22	47	16	41	10	35	4
5	23	48	17	42	11	29
30	6	24	49	18	36	12
13	31	7	25	43	19	37
38	14	32	1	26	44	20
21	39	8	33	2	27	45
46	15	40	9	34	3	28

Method: Use the Siamese method, similar to the Sun square but for 7×7.

5. Mars (5×5)

11	18	25	2	9
10	12	19	21	3
4	6	13	20	22
23	5	7	14	16
17	24	1	8	15

Method: Use the Siamese method for odd orders.

6. Jupiter (4×4)

4	14	15	1
9	7	6	12
5	11	10	8
16	2	3	13

Method: A simple pattern for 4×4:

• Place 1 in the top right corner, then move diagonally down-left, wrapping around edges. Place numbers in sequence, but there are specific rules for 4×4 like swapping numbers to achieve magic properties.

7. Saturn (3×3)

Same as Sun’s square but traditionally has different connotations:

4	9	2
3	5	7
8	1	6

Method: Same Siamese method as described for the Sun.

Note:

• Each square’s magic constant (sum of numbers in any row, column, or diagonal) is unique to its size and the numbers used.
• These methods are traditional; there are modern algorithms, but these instructions give you a straightforward way to construct each planetary kamea manually.
• For complex squares like the Moon’s, you might need to refer to detailed instructions or diagrams for exact placement due to the complexity of wrapping and pattern filling.

 

Explanation of the Siamese Method for Magic Squares

The Siamese method, also known as the “De la Loubère method,” is a technique for constructing odd-order magic squares. Here’s how it works:

Steps for Creating an Odd-Order Magic Square Using the Siamese Method:

1. Start Positioning:
   • Begin by placing the number 1 in the middle cell of the top row. For example, in a 3×3 square, you would place 1 in the cell at position (1,2) where rows are numbered from top to bottom and columns from left to right.
2. Movement Rule:
   • After placing each number, the next number moves diagonally up and to the right. If this move takes you:
     • Off the top of the grid: Wrap around to the bottom row (last row).
     • Off the right side of the grid: Wrap around to the left column (first column).
3. Handling Obstacles:
   • If the next diagonal up and right position is already occupied (i.e., if you encounter a number you’ve already placed), then instead of moving diagonally, move straight down one cell from your current position.
4. Continue Until Complete:
   • Keep placing numbers in sequence, following these rules until the square is filled with numbers from 1 to n², where n is the order of the square.

Example for a 3×3 Square:

Step 1: Place 1 in the middle of the top row (position 1,2):

–	–	1
–	–	–
–	–	–

Step 2: Move diagonally up-right (which wraps to bottom-left), place 2:

–	–	1
–	–	–
2	–	–

Step 3: Move up-right, place 3:

–	–	1
–	3	–
2	–	–

Step 4: Move up-right, but since 1 is there, move down instead, place 4:

–	4	1
–	3	–
2	–	–

Step 5: Move up-right, place 5:

–	4	1
–	3	5
2	–	–

Step 6: Move up-right, but since 3 is there, move down instead, place 6:

–	4	1
6	3	5
2	–	–

Step 7: Move up-right, place 7:

–	4	1
6	3	5
2	–	7

Step 8: Move up-right, place 8:

8	4	1
6	3	5
2	–	7

Step 9: Move up-right, but since 4 is there, move down instead, place 9:

8	4	1
6	3	5
2	9	7

This results in the completed 3×3 magic square where the sum of each row, column, and diagonal is 15.

Characteristics:

• This method works for all odd-order squares (3×3, 5×5, 7×7, etc.).
• It ensures that every number from 1 to n² is used exactly once, maintaining the magic property of the square.

This method is quite intuitive once you get the hang of the movement rules, making it an effective way to manually construct magic squares.

 

By Donald Tyson

I love this book, and it’s one of the most underrated works on the occult, in my opinion. It’s really influenced my practice for two reasons:

• Practical lifestyle: I move around the tropics and embrace a minimalist lifestyle, so the fact that the book is about constructing a magickal circle with only tarot cards works for me.
• Clear explanation: The way Tyson explains magick, although not the main focus of the book, really clarified my own understanding.

Tyson is not only an advanced practitioner, but he also has a good, clear writing style.

A Brief Overview of Tyson’s System

I’m not going to present his whole system—you should definitely buy the book—but I’ll give a brief explanation of a bit of it.

You lay out a magick circle using major arcana to represent the zodiac. You do this in the inner body as you are doing it (or at least, this is how I do it).

Major Arcana Representing the Zodiac:

• 1 – Emperor (Aries)
• 2 – Hierophant (Taurus)
• 3 – Lovers (Gemini)
• 4 – Chariot (Cancer)
• 5 – Strength (Leo)
• 6 – Hermit (Virgo)
• 8 – Justice (Libra)
• 9 – Death (Scorpio)
• 10 – Temperance (Sagittarius)
• 11 – Devil (Capricorn)
• 12 – Star (Aquarius)
• 13 – Moon (Pisces)

Then, three cards are used to create a triangle of manifestation on the outside: Fool, Judgement, and Hanged Man.

The elements are represented by the four aces in the center of the circle, along with a court card representing yourself. Your magickal objective is placed as a series of up to three cards from the minor arcana within the triangle of manifestation.

Lords and Ladies of the Minor Arcana

Wands

• Two of Wands: Lord of Dominion
• Three of Wands: Lord of Established Strength
• Four of Wands: Lord of Perfected Work
• Five of Wands: Lord of Strife
• Six of Wands: Lord of Gain
• Seven of Wands: Lord of Valor
• Eight of Wands: Lord of Swiftness
• Nine of Wands: Lord of Great Strength
• Ten of Wands: Lord of Oppression
• King of Wands: Fire of Fire
• Queen of Wands: Water of Fire
• Knight of Wands: Air of Fire
• Page of Wands: Earth of Fire

Cups

• Two of Cups: Lord of Love
• Three of Cups: Lord of Abundance
• Four of Cups: Lord of Blended Pleasure
• Five of Cups: Lord of Loss in Pleasure
• Six of Cups: Lord of Pleasure
• Seven of Cups: Lord of Illusory Success
• Eight of Cups: Lord of Abandoned Success
• Nine of Cups: Lord of Material Happiness
• Ten of Cups: Lord of Perfected Success
• King of Cups: Fire of Water
• Queen of Cups: Water of Water
• Knight of Cups: Air of Water
• Page of Cups: Earth of Water

Swords

• Two of Swords: Lord of Peace Restored
• Three of Swords: Lord of Sorrow
• Four of Swords: Lord of Rest from Strife
• Five of Swords: Lord of Defeat
• Six of Swords: Lord of Earned Success
• Seven of Swords: Lord of Unstable Effort
• Eight of Swords: Lord of Shortened Force
• Nine of Swords: Lord of Despair and Cruelty
• Ten of Swords: Lord of Ruin
• King of Swords: Fire of Earth
• Queen of Swords: Water of Air
• Knight of Swords: Air of Air
• Page of Swords: Earth of Air

Pentacles

• Two of Pentacles: Lord of Harmonious Change
• Three of Pentacles: Lord of Material Works
• Four of Pentacles: Lord of Earthly Power
• Five of Pentacles: Lord of Material Trouble
• Six of Pentacles: Lord of Material Success
• Seven of Pentacles: Lord of Success Unfulfilled
• Eight of Pentacles: Lord of Prudence
• Nine of Pentacles: Lord of Material Gain
• Ten of Pentacles: Lord of Wealth
• King of Pentacles: Fire of Earth
• Queen of Pentacles: Water of Earth
• Knight of Pentacles: Air of Earth
• Page of Pentacles: Earth of Earth

Elemental Correspondences

Each suit has an elemental correspondence, crucial for selecting the most appropriate cards for a ritual:

• Wands (Fire): Willpower, ambition, expansion, and creativity
• Cups (Water): Emotions, intuition, relationships, and healing
• Swords (Air): Intellect, communication, action, and change
• Pentacles (Earth): The physical world, finances, work, and stability

Practical Applications of Tarot Magic

Tyson explains how tarot can be used for various practical magical purposes, including:

• Creating a sacred space: The cards construct a symbolic temple with the circle representing the magical boundary and the triangle symbolizing the projection of the magician’s will.
• Communicating with spirits: The court cards represent specific individuals or entities, while other cards embody and direct elemental forces.
• Achieving specific goals: Minor Arcana cards can be selected based on the desired outcome. Planetary modifiers refine the ritual’s intent.

Final Thoughts

Tyson’s “Portable Magic” is grounded in the correspondences of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and offers a comprehensive guide to using tarot for magical purposes. The book is genius and really changed my practice for the better. Highly recommended!